Nintendo's Fukuoka Store Opening Sparks Controversy Among Fans

Nintendo has revealed plans to open a new official store in Fukuoka, Japan, by the end of 2025, making it the company's fourth location in the country. Unlike the other stores, this one will be situated on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, and within the busy Hakata Station shopping mall. While many fans celebrate the expansion, others express disappointment that Nagoya, a major city in central Japan, was overlooked in favor of Fukuoka. Nagoya continues to grapple with the “Nagoya Skip” phenomenon, where travelers often skip the city on their journeys between Tokyo and Osaka. The Fukuoka store aims to cater to the rising number of tourists and serve as a hub for promoting the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, offering a variety of games, consoles, and special events.

Nagoya has been perceived as less attractive to tourists compared to other cities in Japan, resulting in the "Nagoya Skip" phenomenon where many events bypass it. Despite being the fourth largest city, its central location between Tokyo and Osaka contributes to this oversight.

Nagoya's reputation as a “boring” city has been a point of concern among its residents, particularly highlighted by a 2016 survey where they ranked their city third in attractiveness. The opening of a new arena in Nagoya hopes to change public perception and attract more events, but it remains to be seen if this will affect future decisions by companies like Nintendo regarding store locations.